Wellness, the Colorado way...

Yoga on the Rocks, credit Visit Denver

The rise of nature immersion getaways has resulted from scientific studies into the effects of being outdoors finding reduced stress and depression. From hiking and yoga to soaking in hot springs, travellers can live ‘well’ in the great outdoors on a Colorado getaway:

Combining Yoga with nature: 

There’s plenty of options to take the Downward Dog out of the gym and into nature in Colorado, whether this be alone on a solitary mountain top or in a class. Many mountain resorts have yoga and meditation classes, be it amongst snow covered Aspen trees in the winter months or among the wildflowers in summer. Bhava Yoga, located at the Base of Peak 9 in Breckenridge, is Colorado’s first ski-in, ski-out yoga studio, which offers seasonal cleanse programmes and Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga on the lake in the summer months.

Rocky Mountain Goat Yoga introduces the local wildlife – in the form of baby goats – to yoga events throughout the year in locations across Colorado, including a heated barn at Lucky Weather Ranch, Longmont, for the winter months. On selected dates each summer, Yoga on the Rocks takes place at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park near Denver, in which yogis unite for a mass yoga session in the awe-inspiring setting, facing the stage that once hosted The Beatles and U2, among other legendary performers.

Hiking Holidays: 

Hiking in Colorado, credit Colorado Tourism Office

Whether travellers are seeking solitude or wanting to explore the outdoors with family and friends, Colorado has thousands of hiking trails for visitors to clear their mind, keep fit and enjoy the landscape whilst breathing in the fresh Colorado mountain air. Colorado’s vast range of trails can now be navigated through a new Colorado-centric hiking app which has just launched, called COTREX. 

Available from both Google Play and App Store, the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) maps every trail in the State of Colorado, connecting a network of trails managed by over 225 land managers. Users can record trips and notes from their own hiking experience, as well as submitting trail reports and feedback to help inform and inspire the hiking community. The app shows featured routes with symbols denoting whether the trail is suitable for hiking or biking, and whether there are waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers on the route, ensuring travellers are fully informed before they arrive, to make the most of their hiking experience. 

Hot Springs road trip: 

Bathing in a natural hot spring near Steamboat Springs,
credit Colorado Tourism Office

Colorado’s thermal hot springs date back to the Ute Indians, who soaked in the mineral pools centuries ago for their healing properties. Today, travellers can combine this time-honoured wellness enhancing tradition with a road trip that delivers epic mountain scenery and relaxing baths in the natural mineral waters. 

The 720-mile Historic Hot Springs Loop takes in 19 hot spring locations, including the world’s deepest geothermal aquifer in Pagosa Springs and the 150 geothermal hot springs that put Steamboat Springs on the map long before it was known as a ski resort. 

Besides the well-known hot springs and vapour caves that have been attracting visitors for centuries, many hot spring pools can be found away from the crowds for those who really want to kick back in the mineral-rich wilderness. Try Penny Hot Springs, Carbondale, which sits on the banks of the Crystal River and requires a short hike to get to the snow-capped mountain and canyon surrounded oasis; Conundrum Hot Springs, Aspen, a 16.9 mile round trail, usually requiring a day each way for backpackers to enjoy the waterfalls and views en route and South Canyon Hot Springs – a set of undeveloped hot spring pools located west of Glenwood Springs, a short hike across a dirt path through South Canyon Creek.

A traditional pamper: 

The Broadmoor, credit Loren Bedeli

For those who seek a luxury spa experience to unplug and indulge, The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is home to a Forbes Five-Star Spa. The spa offers a range of treatments that celebrate its natural surrounding, from oxygen-infusing skin treatments to Hydrotherapy and a Colorado Revival Wrap.

 

A relaxation room looks out on to the mountain range, with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi for guests to enjoy whilst taking in the surrounding nature. The Broadmoor has an extensive selection of health and wellness fitness programmes for its guests, including Broadmoor Bootcamp, Tai Chi and a Country Dance inspired workout class. 

For those wanting to include a touch of luxury indulgence on a Colorado road trip this season, a Winter Spa Retreat is available for bookings until 30 April 2019, including one night’s accommodation (with upgrades available), $200 (USD) spa credit per person and suites available at 25% published rates, priced $320 (USD) per person, per night, based on double occupancy.

ABOUT COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE:

Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is the official travel and tourism office for the state of Colorado. CTO’s mission is to generate traveller spending by promoting Colorado as a four-season, four-corner, world-class travel destination and to develop compelling, sustainable travel experiences. In 2017, Colorado travellers spent $20.9 billion, generating $1.28 billion in local and state revenues and directly supported 171,000 jobs.

Colorado is a year-round destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational activities, an abundant arts scene, Western heritage, distinctive cuisine and 28 renowned ski resort areas. The state's diverse landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of four major rivers, numerous peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet, known as ‘Fourteeners’. www.colorado.com